Robin Groose, Ph.D.

Retired Associate Professor of Agroecology and Plant Breeding
groose@uwyo.edu

Education and Experience 

B.S. 1978, University of Wisconsin, Molecular Biology

M.S. 1983, University of Wisconsin, Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics

Ph.D. 1985, University of Wisconsin, Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics 

Post-Doctoral Research Associate, 1985-1986, Iowa State University 

Research Geneticist, 1986 - 1987, USDA-ARS, Ames, IA

Assistant Professor, Dept of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences, 1988 - 1992

Associate Professor, Dept of Plant Sciences, 1993 - 2015

Research

Dr. Groose has worked with legume crops his entire career.  At first he studied transposable elements (“jumping genes”) and later studied quantitative genetics of autotetraploid plants to elucidate the basis for severe inbreeding depression (genetic load) and “progressive heterosis” in tetrasomic polyploids.

More recently, Dr. Groose focused on applied breeding of alfalfa, annual medic, and winter feed peas.  Feed peas have the potential to integrate cereal and livestock production for more economically profitable and environmentally sustainable dryland agriculture on the Central Great Plains.  Peas were bred for Wyoming adaptation and dual use, i.e., for both forage and grain.

Germplasm/Cultivar/Genetic Stock Releases

• w4-m w4-m soybean genetic stock
• ‘T321’ soybean
• WY-RF1 Alfalfa
• WY-RF2 Alfalfa
• ‘WyoWinter’ feed pea

Outreach

Dr. Groose contributed regularly to the Casper Star-Tribune with essays biology, agriculture, and the environment.